Before I say anything, the most important first: If you know my mom, please DON'T TELL HER. IT'S A SURPRISE!

Here's my goal: I want to foster connection. Too many people don't feel they are heard or understood and I want to address that. This might seem small, but that’s where I want to start: small. I want people to connect: over happy things, sad things, all things. My heart hurts every time I read or watch the news. I’m serious! I know we need to be aware of what's going on, but I want to shift the focus sometimes and this is where I’m shifting it.

Mission Statement
I am just one person, but I believe that well-told, authentic stories have the capacity to inspire and in some cases to change hearts and minds. I want to find and foster connections among humans; to replace unnecessary competition and ego comparisons with perspective, understanding, and empathy. The world needs more of that. Videography is my passion; it is my intent to use it to slow the spread of anger, violence, and judgment.

Intention
I have purchased a camera, but I need money for lighting, sound, and video equipment, such as a tripod and glidecam. This first project will be made on a shoe string budget, but in order for it to get off the ground, I need the basic tools of the trade.

First Project: My Mother’s Cancer Survivor Story
Ten years ago, when I was a sophomore in high school, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. We are grateful to live in a time and place with access to fine medical care, but we learned first-hand that this can be complicated. After surgery to address the cancer, Mom had one treatment of chemotherapy that somehow went awry; her immune system went down, she contracted an infection that rendered her unresponsive for 8 minutes in the ambulance, underwent emergency surgery, and hovered at the edge of life for weeks. At one point she underwent a near-death event. What happened to her during that time changed her life and mine. She had to make a decision about whether to return to this life or not.

Mom remained in the ICU for two months, followed by a third month in a regular hospital, then a year of home-health nurse care. For a time she lost the ability to speak, to walk, to read, to concentrate, and to eat normally. By some grace, she is still alive.  In fact, she is flourishing. She affects all about her for good.

Her story is unusual, perhaps even miraculous. It is a story about the invincibility of one woman's spirit -- and invincibility that may be contagious. It is a story that can help us understand our mortality and give credence to our immortality.

Although she has permanent challenges from her encounter with chemotherapy, one year from now (May 2017) my Mom will have been cancer-free for ten years. I hope to have this film completed for this anniversary as a surprise for her, followed by a public posting of the film. I have have had family members die of different cancers. I have a close friend whose Mom was recently diagnosed with well-advanced cancer. The assault is everywhere. I want these people (cancer victims and their families and friends) to feel connected and understood as they go about their decisions and trials.

Future Projections
I hope this film touches people and helps give them hope in their own recovery and faith in life itself. I want to tell stories that stimulate a kinder world. In short, I want to tell people’s tales, perhaps even to generate eventual support that might, for instance, help them pay medical costs and more generally ease the trauma of being ill or whatever the struggle may be. It would be great if such films eventually attracted donations to support scientific research for the prevention of various issues we all face (cancer, violence, hunger). 

My Qualification
I have apprenticed with commercial videographers. I have my own videography business shooting and editing weddings. I work closely with a company that produces photography and videography daily. 

I would love your help to tell this story! I am saving for my equipment, but I’m still paying for school and my rent and all. I will be grateful for ANYTHING to help get me started.